Now, using a technology that extrapolates facial features from DNA, investigators believe they have a much clearer picture of their suspect – and they’re hoping someone out there knows his identity.

“That’s the frustrating thing about this case,” said retired sheriff's Detective Jim Allen. “It’s been solvable from the beginning. We had witnesses, we had a real tight solid timeline, we had a full DNA profile from the beginning. Thousands of tips, you would have thought the case would have been solved by now.”

Allen takes Sarah’s case personally; he’s been digging for the truth since 2001.

For years, the sheriff’s office relied on artist sketches like this to help bring in the tip to solve the crime.

“Was the guy passing through, is he deceased, or we just haven’t got the right person?” said Allen. “He might be out there; he might be walking around.”

“It doesn’t get any easier this many years later,” said Sarah’s younger brother, Andrew Yarborough.

Andrew remembers his big sister as warm, friendly and having a strong work ethic but he’s missed a lifetime of memories without her.

“You know, you go about your daily life and what would my relationship be like with her as an adult?” he asked.

“Sarah was kind of the girl next door, everybody could relate to her as a victim,” said Allen. “They could be their sister, their friend, their daughter, so I think the whole community kind of rallied behind this case.”